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How can the same pieces of the tangram make this bowl before and after it was chipped? Use the interactivity to try and work out what is going on!

Prime Magic

Stage: 2, 3 and 4 Challenge Level:

Place the numbers 1, 2, 3,..., 9 one on each square of a 3 by 3 grid so that all the rows and columns add up to a prime number. Two solutions are considered to be the same if, as in the example shown, they contain the same six triples. How many different solutions can you find?

2

8

3

6

4

9

5

7

1

2

3

8

5

1

7

6

9

4

Show that it is impossible to place the numbers 1, 2, 3,..., 9 one on each square of a 3 by 3 grid so that the diagonals, as well as all the rows and columns, add up to prime numbers.

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the
NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to
embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities
can be found here.